Spurring Our Blue Economy

Coastal communities and ocean-dependent businesses are a major economic engine for the United States. The blue economy contributes $397 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product through activities like tourism and recreation, shipping and transportation, commercial and recreational fishing, power generation, research, and related goods and services. In 2019, the American blue economy grew faster than the nation’s economy in its entirety, supporting 2.4 million jobs.

NOAA is critical to the prosperity and security of our blue economy, providing essential understanding, environmental health and sustainable use guidance of our ocean resources, coasts and Great Lakes. 

• NOAA publishes the annual Economics: National Ocean Watch with data detailing the impact of ocean industries to better inform coastal businesses and decisionmakers.
• 95% of U.S. international trade moves through our nation’s ports and harbors. NOAA’s Physical Oceanographic Real Time System (PORTS) provides real-time oceanographic data and navigation information to promote safe and efficient navigation in and out of U.S. ports.
• NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey creates and maintains more than 1,000 nautical charts covering 3.4 million square miles of water, used daily by mariners, the Department of Defense, commercial shipping operations, fishermen, local officials, and many more.
• NOAA, through the National Working Waterfront Network, helps coastal communities to make smart decisions that ensure our waterfronts are accessible for diverse uses today and in the future.

Real Stories: Need examples of how NOAA impacts individuals every day?